The Jihad of Jesus

It's a provocative title but it needs to be. And by putting together in one phrase the Arabic word jihad and the latinised Hebrew name Jesus -with all the freight each of them carries- Dave Andrews is inviting us to have some contemporary memes turned upside down:

It was hoped the provocative title would get a lot of attention, and we could introduce Christians and Muslims to a Qur'anic reconstruction of the concept of 'jihad' in the light of the radical practical nonviolence of Jesus. -Dave Andrews from the website for The Jihad of Jesus

I think he largely succeeds. He disclaims being an expert but he has learned enough in his conversations and further study and reflection to produce a book that is well worth putting into the hands and contemplations of Christians, and possibly Muslims, who are open to explore and beginning their journey of understanding their own traditions in their peaceable intentions and origins. There are not many surprises in broad terms for those who have been part of faithful discussions over the last few years, but there may be useful, interesting and/or revealing insights. I for one am pleased to know about the love for Jesus shown in the writings of the Muslim mystic Khalid Mohammed Khalid.



It is a useful book for some of the sources it points on to. It is a useful book for a succinct but helpful exploration of the meaning of jihad as primarily (spiritual) struggle, rooting this in well regarded Muslim traditions and thought. I really appreciated, too, Dave's (not unexpected) advocacy for the non-violence of Jesus supported by a very competent exploration of how that interpretation is well-founded in the teaching-in-context of Jesus. This includes dealing with the common, usual, appeals to less pacific-seeming phrases in a sensible and accessible way.



One of the inspiring things for me about it is the hope it gives for working with Muslims of good will in respect of non-violent struggle for peace and justice and also for finding Muslims who really love Jesus not just as a rhetorical device but in the reality of living by the ethos and teaching of Christ.



If you are concerned about struggling in the way of Christ for a fairer, more harmonious world and interested to consider how this could be done in conjunction with people of good will, Muslims included, then this book is worth getting. If you would like to have a book that is relatively easy to read which you could put into the hands of Christians who are open to considering a way of thinking about such things that gets beyond the political and stereotypical posturing, then this book is worth having as a potential pass-on.



Dave's book is borne out of face-to-face conversations, friendship and collaborative action for justice and peace. This helps give it a degree of heft which deserves to be taken seriously. However, it is not a chronicle of conversations and actions. These only show through by the by, but do give the sense of let's call it authority. Much of what we read, however, is reflections on themes and sources in the two religious traditions and history and this is helpful.



Do get this book; it's worth it.



Link-Love: 

Dave Andrews' website

The Jihad of Jesus website

The Jihad of Jesus on Facebook

Dave on Twitter

Dave on Facebook

Dave on flickr



Tag for this book: #SpeakeasyTheJihadofJesus